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BGSU_Dissertations_0413_Siegal.pdf (2.6 MB)

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Modification of Workshop Productivity with an Operant-Self-Instructional Training Package

Siegel, Kenneth Alan
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1566463048505912

Abstract Details

1976, Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Bowling Green State University, Psychology.
An operant-self-instructional training package was employed to increase the productivity of three mentally retarded sheltered workshop employees and one mentally retarded student. Productivity was measured by performance on the Modine Sort; a relatively complex sorting task consisting of sorting nuts, bolts and washers of varying sizes and with different features into different containers. During a thirteen to fifteen day baseline, each subject worked on the Modine Sort for forty minutes a day. This was followed by a twelve day training phase in which each subject was taught to self-instruct on various sorting tasks with an operant-self-instructional training package emphasizing modeling and fading procedures. Subjects were paid and verbally praised for appropriate self-instruction during training. A twelve to twenty day follow-up using the same task and procedures as the baseline immediately followed training. The data were analyzed separately for each subject. A time series analysis with t-tests measuring changes in the level of non-stationary time series was employed to measure changes in performance from baseline to follow-up. It was found that errors were reduced significantly during follow-up. For most subjects there were no statistically significant changes in the number of correct sorts or in the total number of sorts from baseline to follow-up. The presence or absence of the experimenter during follow-up had no neasurable effect on performance. Two subjects self-instructed more frequently on three card sorting tasks after training than they did prior to training. The other two subjects displayed no self-instruction on the card sorting tasks. It was emphasized that the present study was a preliminary one and the data must be interpreted with caution. However, the results did indicate that the operant-self -instructional training package may be effective in reducing errors and stabilizing performance on workshop tasks with mentally retarded employees. Future research was recommended.
Kenneth Shemberg (Advisor)
Occupational Psychology

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Siegel, K. A. (1976). Modification of Workshop Productivity with an Operant-Self-Instructional Training Package [Doctoral dissertation, Bowling Green State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1566463048505912

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Siegel, Kenneth. Modification of Workshop Productivity with an Operant-Self-Instructional Training Package. 1976. Bowling Green State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1566463048505912.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Siegel, Kenneth. "Modification of Workshop Productivity with an Operant-Self-Instructional Training Package." Doctoral dissertation, Bowling Green State University, 1976. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1566463048505912

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

bgsu1566463048505912
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